Improvements in hand function in adults with chronic tetraplegia following a multiday 10-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation intervention combined with repetitive task practice.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Evidence suggests that the use of stimulation to increase corticomotor excitability improves hand function in persons with cervical spinal cord injury. We assessed effects of a multiday application of 10-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the corticomotor hand area combined with repetitive task practice (RTP) in participants with tetraplegia and neurologically healthy participants.

Methods

Using a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, 11 participants with chronic tetraplegia and 10 neurologically healthy participants received 3 sessions of 10-Hz rTMS+RTP and 3 sessions of sham-rTMS+RTP to the corticomotor hand region controlling the weaker hand. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was interleaved with RTP o

SUBMITTER: Gomes-Osman J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4270905 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature